Board puts St. Helens Superintendent Stockwell on leave after teachers’ sex abuse arrests

Days after news of bombshell allegations of sex abuse of students by two teachers in the St. Helens School District dropped, the school board unanimously voted Friday night to place Superintendent Scot Stockwell on administrative leave.

Also on Friday, the district announced that St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner was placed on administrative leave and Board Chair Ryan Scholl resigned.

The district announced it would be closed Thursday through Monday. It said it was prioritizing student and staff safety.

“I hear them say that they’re concerned for their safety, and I just think, man, my daughter showed up at your school every day concerned for her safety,” said Roschelle Russell, who said one of the accused teachers had inappropriate contact with her daughter.

The board voted to put Stockwell on leave after parents accused him of not doing enough to protect their children.

Stockwell did not attend Friday’s nearly 16-minute virtual board meeting.

"The voices of the concerns of the students, parents and the community were heard loud and clear at our last meeting," said Acting Chair Trinity Monahan during the meeting. "There were specific requests made regarding what plans are being made, who to hold accountable and how to understand certain details and decisions that were made."

On Tuesday, St. Helens police officers announced they arrested one current and one former St. Helens High School teacher on charges of sex abuse against students. The charges came after a two-month investigation following allegations of sexual abuse at the school.

The current teacher has been identified as 46-year-old Eric Stearns. According to the district’s website, he teaches choir. Court documents show he has been indicted on seven counts of sexual abuse.

The former teacher, 64-year-old Mark Collins, is also accused of touching minors inappropriately at school. He has been indicted on two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and one count of attempted sexual abuse in the second degree.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges during court appearances this week.

https://katu.com/news/local/st-helens-sd-considers-paid-leave-for-superintendent-days-after-teacher-sex-abuse-arrests

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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: November 17, 2024, 3:04 am.

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